The Woman inventor

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WOMEN AS INDUSTRIAL AND INVENTIVE FACTORS PLEAD FOR RECOGNITION AT THE CONVENTIONOF CUE PATENT OFNTE NNIAL. APRIL 8th; 9th,

AND 10th, 1891,

GREETING .

The “ Woman inventor” greets the
members and visitors -,o.f the Patent
Centennial Convention and presents
this number, . the lost ever published
and. devoted to the cause of woman in -
ventors of this country.

Its aims and objects are to aid, ele-
vates and dignify the industrial and
inventive women of iln United States ;
to advocate more Just and. equitable
laws ; to help them to obtain their rust
demands and protection from State
and National legislatures $ to urge the
•.reduction, of fees payable to the United
States Governments and, in view of
the surplus of a. million of dollars to
the credit of - he United States Patent
Office.: of which SdwfVOnj accumulated
during the past- year, we ask the.
United States Government to ea cour-
age inventors by granting to them oe*
sides the patents medals, m enu urns
and monetary aid to perfect then' in-
ventions.

We ask, also, -of our strong Govern.-*
ment, to be just and extend its protec*,
tion to women inventors, and a its ex-

pense prosecute those who infringe or
fraudulently obtain their inventions,
. We also ask for women inventors
that a spacious hall be set aside in the
present Patent Office and be exclu-
sively used for the exhibition of
women’s inventions, their models, and
that descriptive and illustrated cata-
logues be printed and distributed free
to all who apply for the same, We
ask, also, that none but "• *omen be em-
ployed in that department of exhibi-
tion and publication.

We extend our sisterly har d to the
women inventors, and to those who in-
tend to enter the inventive field ; we
promise to them advice and aid in
their pursuits of usefulness, and be-
speak for ourselves their good will
and hearty co-operation to aid us in
this new enterprise which will benefit
them as well as ourselves.

We also ask for the co-operati'om of
the successful, inventors and manufac-
rarer 1 *, of patented articles, who to-day
are reaping the golden harvest, to con-
tribute some qf their bountiful worldly
goods to enable us to disseminate the

useful information contained in the
columns of the ‘ 1 WOMAN INVEN-
TOR.”

WOMENS T NVENTIONS.

How many woman's inventions are
hidden under the names of fathers,
husbands, brothers and. sons we- oar-
not, of course, know, "but it is by no
means unlikely that many thousands
of such concealments exist in the
lists of patents granted It Is still
more probable that suggestions of
women have helped many a man to
the development of patentable de-
vices-. and it is a known fact that the
loving faith of a good wife has kept
up the courage and her industry sup-
pi led bread for the poor inventor in
thousands of instances, while he has
struggled on towards success or fail-
ure— -towards happiness or despair.
As woman has become more and more
prominent in all departments of busi-
ness, she is naturally making a better
showing in the records of the patent
office. The 4 000 patents now stand-

ing to her credit will soon, be multi-
plied by ten, and the fame and fortune
•annually reaped by inventors will
be more, equitably divided between
the sexes. It* would be scarcely per-
missible co close this article without a
.reference fd the obligations of woman
to Invention. Her life has been re~
lUvec of most of its drudgery by
patent, devices. The woolen mill, the*
cotton factory, the sewing machine,
machinery for the laundry ' and the
dairy, mechanical appliances for doing
all the hard ^ork of urban or rural
homes— these have opened up a new
and better life for the mothers, wives
and sisters cf to-day. Other inven-
tions, such as telegraphy, the type-
writer and the telephone have created
new occupations for thousands of
women, while inventions in music and
art have made home embellishment-
possible to even the poorest sewing-
girl. The new times are better than
the old in all respects, but in no other
direction is the improvement so
marked as in the change wrought in
the home life of woman,.

The Woman Inventor.

PUBLISHED MONTHLY.

CHARLOTTE SMITH,

EDITOR AND PUBLISHER.

Office, 1305 F St., N„ W. Washington, D. C.

The only paper of the kind, published in the
United States.

Subscription,- SI per year, in advance.
Advertising rates made known at the office.

Entered at the postolhee at Washington as
second-class mail matter.

WASHINGTON, D. C., APRIL, 1891.

The Patent Centennial celebration, begin-
ning April 8th, and ending April 10th, will
be presided over by the President of the
United States. Never before in the history
of the United States will there be so many
distinguished inventors, scientists, scholars,
and illustrious men assembled together to
celebrate thfe* achievements of the inventive
genius of the American inventors. The em-
inent men who- will participate in this Cen-
tennial celebration extend to the women of
the United States their hospitality and in-
vites them to attend the celebration of the
Centennial in Washington, D. C., April 8th,
9th, 10th. The Centennial Committee ex-
tends the hand of welcome to the Woman
Inventors and the Industrial Women of the
Unfed States to co-operate with them, and
accords them the same privileges as man in
this celebration.

\Mrs» Nancy M. Johnson, is the inventor oi
the first ice cream frigerator in this country
Before her invention, ice cream was made by
a spoon, constantly kept stirring up the cream.
She devised the crank, and got out a patent
for her invention in the year of 1843. She after-
wards sold the right of her patent for $1,500
She lived in Washington all her life and died
In 1890, at the ripe old age of ninety-five years

The Woman Inventor will publish in
future numbers a complete list of all the

women inventors whose names can be ob-
tained, w n dice v- tli/v iaveiy. •>. . • t>. ■ .

.. . 1 i»-v, '• ’ . ••• .

this subject.

The object is to compile a history of the
women inventors of the United Status.

Hon. Samuel Fisher, while Commissioner
of Patents, once said, “Any sketch of Amer-
ican inventions would be imperfect which
f ailed to do justice to the part taken by

women.

Senator Platt, of Connecticut, is one of the
most earnest defenders of the American Pat-
ent law in the United States Senate. He de-
livered what is conceded to be the most able
speech in the history of the United States Pat-
ent Office on the floor of the Senate ever made
in Congresso He is also a sincere friend of
women inventors as well as industrial women.

THANKS ! THANKS !

In our efforts to furnish a complete official
I ist of the women inventors of the United
States and Great Britain, we have been aid-
ed by U. S. Commissioner of Patents, Hon.
Charles Eliot Mitchell; Chief John W. Bab-
son, of Gazette division U. S. Patent Office;
J. B. Marvin, chief of Draughtsmen divis-
ion U. S. Patent Office. To Mr. A. Scott, as-
sistant chief of Draughtsmen division, and
Mr. Berryman, who kindly aided in getting
up the design of The Woman Inventor,
'we are much indebted for many courtesies
extended to us.

We recommend the New York Daily Tri-
bune as the most advanced and reliable daily
paper published in the United States. Its
columns are always advocating questions re-
lating to the elevation of women through ed-
ucation and its editorials ably discuss and ad-
vocate industrial pursuits to^women,

Up to 1820 no one seems to have entertained
the thought that female education was of
sufficient consequence to make it in any way
desirable that an institution should be endow-
ed for the purpose of making the education of
women commensurate in thoroughness with
that of men.

The W ashing ton Post, independent in pol-
itics, faultless in style, newsy and bright in
every particular, is one of the best morning
papers published. s

A Memorial and Petition WHY I BECAME INTER-
ESTED IN WOMAN
INVENTORS.

LETTERS FROM EX-COMMISSIONER’S
PATENT OFFICE.

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CENTEN-
NIAL CELEBRATION.

While many of the most important inven-
tions the world has ever known, has been
taken out by women, the proportion of female
inventors, is much less than male inventors,
it arises from the fact that woman has not bad
the same opportunities to acquire an industrial
education that man has had. And those that
have succeeded have done so only by their
own self reliance and indomitable will power.
Inventions are the result of much consideration
and freedom of thought, and any restriction
reacts on inventive genius. Deprived as
woman is of her political power, and tin ob-
stacles thrown in her way ; she has to face
the contempt and scorn of her sex, while man
looks on her as an intruder qu his domain.

All this has a tendency to liamperlet, wo-
man’s inventive genius. How does the law re-
cognize women? If she be married, her hus-
band can take oat the patent in his own name
anu sell her invention for his sole benefit,
give it away or refrain her from using it, and
she has no remedy before the law. It is only
a little over a quarter of a century since the
first State in this Union protected a married
woman in the use of her own brain property.
Is it any wonder then, that woman is not
equal with man as an inventor. Invention
develops new industries and provides em-
ployment for multitudes of people, and adds
millions of revenues to governments. Bat
man is still unjust to women even in this pro-
gressive age of a boasted civilization.

Let us hope with the dawn of a new cen-
tury, that unjust wrongs will be righted, and
that man will broaden the boundaries .that
have heretofore separated the barriers of wo-
man’s inventive genius from man’s, Let us
enter anew era with a new civilization.
We look to man for a new development to
encourage woman’s inventive power and
mechanical genius, in the United States.

Shall we look in vain ? As there are five
million self-supporting industrial women in
this country, and thousands out of these
who only war* oppov.: unities- m Jfe to

- i- «iop bipir r PUT ■ •••••

thus as co-equai brdad-wi Si &&

Therefor© in behalf f woman as wage-
workers and inventor. I appeal to you gen-
tlemen of this Convention of Inventors and
Man ufactures, to aid the industrial women of
the United States, by recognizing the pass-
age of more liberal laws towards women.

Your memorialist petitions that you recom-
mend that a room be set aside in the present
Patent Office, to be used exclusively for the
benefi t of Women Inventors, that therein be
exhibited models of the women inventors
only, that the same be properly labelled, giv-
ing full particulars of each invention together
with fine full name and residence of the women
inventors ; that yearly or monthly a revised
descriptive catalogue describing said inven-
tions be published by the United States Gov-
ernment and the same be free for distribution ;
and that women exclusively be employed in
said room and in the compilation of said cat-
alogue.

Your memorialist also petition that your
honorable body recommend a reasonable re-
duction in the fees now collected by the
United States Government for the granting Of
patents, as well as the preliminary costs for
filing caveats and the examination of papers
and other documents.

Your memorialist is actuated in making
this reduction inconsequence of the inability
of the majority of inventors applying for pat-
ents to defray the present high ruling rates ;
besides it is a Well known fact that there is
for the present a surplus to the credit of the
United States Patent Office of nearly a million
of dollars, and the net earnings of 1890 alone
have contributed towards said surplus nearly

■fi. «y

a quarter million of dollars.

When the Patent Office was created by-
statute, it was the intent to fix such a sum
which would compensate the Government for
filing fees and granting of patents to make the
office self-sustaining, a revenue to accumulate
a surplus of the magnitude of that now exist-
ing was never contemplated nor desired.

From the originally intended fees for filing
a caveat, other fees comprising almost every-
thing within the realm of its operations are
now exacted from the inventor at every step.

CHARLOTTE SMITH.

President Woman’s National Industrial
League of America,

As editor and publisher of the “Inland Mag-
azine,” published in St. Louis, in 1875, the
following case came under my observation,
which I regret to state is only one of my
similar hundred ones, and which best illus-
trates the position of the industrial women,
whom I have the honor to represent.

Not wishing to give foo much publicity to
the memory of the parties, I shall designate
her' as Miss Mary S. — who cam to me in con-
sequence of an article published In my Mag-
azine on the practical occupations for women
and their position as inventors at that period.
Miss Mary S„ — was a handsome young wo-
man of about twenty- four years, very intelli-
gent, but saduess in her expression: her his-
tory as told by her ; she was the daughter of
an inventor, which in those days was synony-
mous to being a “crank,” for he was a man
who was only capable to devise new inven-
tions; but being a man of no financial ability,
besides intemperate at times, was oblidged
to part with his inventions fj the paltry sum
of five or ten dollars. Of course under such
mismanagement, his family was soon re-
duced to destitution, his w" died and left
two young girls, the vounges was put into
a charitable institution and Mary S. — was
working at three dollars per week in a dry
g store. She had all her father’s inven-
tive genius. She patented in a lawyer’s
name a valuable invention, which has since
proved a grand financial success, aud yet
she I’eceived in foil payment the sum of five
dollars for her invention.

Her reason for not patenting the same in
her own name, was that if it had been known
the invention of a woman, it would have
been regarded as a failure.

After her father’s death she kept on to
work and completed several inventions and

■ lewA

§, JShe lived m am., attic

Ida, ana v. only tools sh : hod i presented to

her at Christmas, in 1878, it was a boy ’s tool-
chest. In 1880 she died.

Mis s MarvS. — furnished the bran is -for man
to create wealth, when he himself had not the
genius to invent, but only the craftiness and
cunning to take away the products of that
woman’s inventive labor. Miss Mary S. — is
dead, her secrets, her genius, her skill are
buried with her.

She implored me before she died to see
that in the future justice was done to women
inventors ; and as I resided in Washington,
and could do so much for my sex, I have been
creating public opinion, as well as demand-
ing justice for women as bread-winners, wo-
men as creators of wealth ; women as indus-
trial factors, for the past twelve years.

I have done but my duty for hundreds sim-
ilarly situated as Mary 8.—, I know that wo-
men need only encouragement to develop the
often inherited genius from their fathers, as
in tl case of Miss Mary S.— , who no doubt
through coming in contact with her father’s
ideas could have obtained wealth and fame,
had she known how to go to work, but her
life’s journey was blasted because she had not
the opportunities to develop her genius.

She sold to agents, sixteen different inven-
tions of her own. perfected and executed thirty
seven different inventions that her father had
commenced, but never completed, and yet she
died a pauper.

On my arrival in Washington in 1879, I
commenced to investigate the progress of
Women’s Inventions. After many trials for
want of information from the Patent Office,
I, finally appealed to the then Commissioner
of Patents Mr. Marble. He gave orders to
have lists to be kept of the inventions by wo-
men at my solicitation, I was* referred by
him to Mr. Babson, who now holds the posi_
tion he then held in the Patent Office. He
assured me that it was a most difficult task to
obtain the names of women inventors, for
thej would generally give only their initials
and he informed me also that they could not
furnish to me a list for want of clerical help.
Mr. Marble left the office and Mr. Butter-;
worth was appointed in his stead, under him
I found the same difficulties.

When Mr Montgomery was appointed

Commissioner, I renewed my efforts to ob-
tain the list and names of women inventors.
The work of compiling the same at my solicit
ation, was begun under Mr. Montgomery,
but he soon resigned and the work was neg-
lected for a couple of years,

I called upon his successor, Mr. Half
seventeen times and urged the compiliation,
I was again told that the clerical force was
too limited to perform that duty. I ap-
pealed to Congress and appeared before the
committees on appropriations and obtained
fhej|necessary assistance as the following
card explains.

Department oe the Interior,

United States- Patent Office,
Draftsman’s* Division,

February, 14, 1890.

Dear Madam : The work of compiling
“ Women Inventors ” occupied four clerks
about ten days. The cost of printing 500 co-
pies, was about $300. Enclosed please find
Ex. Townsend’s reply to the “ World” arti-
cles, aud a copy of the Official Gazette con-
taining the Commissioner’s'Report.

Very respsectfully,

J. B. Marvin.

Chief of Draftsman’s Division.

Lite following letters explain what perse-
v ranee will accomplish. lam much indebted
t- J x-Commissioners Marble aud Monigom
eiy for aiding ine in the government cornpil-
afion oi Women Inventors of the United States.
Ii- iv also due to the courtesy of Patent Coni-
n' msioner Mitchell, that 1 can present a com-
plete classified list of Women Inventors of the
United States, since July 1, 1888 to March 1,
1891, the whole number being 537.

CHARLOTTE SMI I H,
Editor “ Woman Inventor.”

Washington, D. C.,
March, 3 U, Hy;i .
Mrs/ Charlotte Smith,

D - ;ar Madam : Your letter reached me tills
mfi* }>■'<!'. You reminded me that w bile J
was Commissioner of Patents, you called
upc- trn with a request for the “ Compilation
of ti c ‘ist of Women Inventors,” and that
some . rk in that direction was undertaken
unde- s my instruction, in pursuance of your
request, and you ask me to state, '• if any
other woman ever called on me for that In-
formation;”

i remember very well the visits which you
made for that purpose, and how earnest and

1 ' ■"•■■■■ !-. Uf> . - fiv,

I could not state m detau-what

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0 : : H v. . . ^

10 : sslst quiv .1 do not rccxfi *1, fi “oiiy other

woman' ever called upon me for such infor-
mation.”

Very truly,

M. Montgomery.

Washington, D. c.,

' April, 1, 18,91.

Mrs. charlotte Smith.

Dear Madam : In reply to your letter,

1 beg to state thai you are correct, it was
during my administration as Commissioner of
Patents, that you suggested to me the necessi-
ty of a compilation of the Women Inventors.

I wish also to state that it was done at your
suggestion.

1: ou were the first woman, who during my
administration asked me for that compilation
and i therefore appointed a clerk to compile

tiiG - cUne 0

Yours respectfully,

E. M. Marble.

To Matilda Joslyn Gage we are. indebted
for much information on the subject of “Wo-
men as an Inventor,” in a most able and in-
stru five article, and we have made many ex-
tracts from her papers published in the North
Am. vicar. Review, some years ago.

We are under- obligation to Mr. Du Bois
Editor ot the "Inventive Age,” for courtesies
extended to us in giving a list of the women
inventors that came under his observation.
Mi . Du Bois, is a sincere friend of women
inventors as well as the industrial women.
Success attend “ The Inventive Age,” says
“The Woman Inventor.”

D is a handsome tribute to the inventive
genius of American women that they have
ieen granted patents that will compare finan-
cially with men. The royality paid to some
of those women inventors is as high as five
thousand dollars per annum.

The difference between Great Britain in the
number of average patents taken out, and the
United States are as follows : Great Britain
about six thousand, while in the United States
twenty thousand patents are taken out annual-
ly. And about 700 of the above are taken out
by women.

Mrs Kate Beaird, Tyler, Texas, has in-
vented a Hand Propelling Device for Sewing
Machines. This new device has become pop*.
- ar here and sells well throughout the country.

WOMEN EMPLOYEES

IN THE PATENT OFFICE.

fti' ;he sole use of the Patent Office, and the
clerical and examining forges. There is .10
reason why any other department should
occupy space in the Patent Office building.
To understand the magnitude and growth

Ancient and Modern

FOREIGN WOMEN INVENTORS.

In the Patent Office, won, n has slowly but ».« -p f a tLU ' aaa = l0,VT — • j Aristotle, was the first European writer to

otthe atein Office, one has merely to refer | me ntioiisilk, yet it was not until a thousand

surely secured recognition, at first in the cler-
ical force and afterwards in the examiners
work. This work covers the examination of
applications for patent on all inventions, and
before the patent is gra * a full under-
standing of difficult invents .ms is often req uired
and then a search in the art as found in for-
eign and domestic patents t nd in printed pub-,
lications in our own and nTgu languages
Three women have r ; - »u to the rank of
twenty Assistant Examiners, and ail have

positions upon competitive ex

gained these
a ruination

Mrs. Anne Freeman was the first woman
aver appointed First- As^pvat Examiner in
the United States Patent Office, in the year
1872. She has been dead many years.

Miss Sarah J. Noyes, i- she second Woman
appointed to a similar position. She first' en-
tered the Patent Office in 1873, and in 1874
she passed a successful exam? nation and was
appointed Second Assistant Examiner in 1874.
She understands the mechanism of clocks and
watches thoroughly. She again passed another
examination and her class was at first clocks
and watches. She is considered an expert on
mechanical division by manufacturers and
Patent Attorneys. She is j rst Assistant Ex-
aminer of the Electrical Division, and is the
oldest Frst Assistant 'Examiner in the employ
of the Patent Office. Her ^ary is $16.00 per
annum.

Miss Mable Hatch, stenographer for the
law clerk, is the*best posted woman in the
country on Patent Law, Her salary is $16.00
per annum.

Mrs. Virginia Nagle, is Fourth Assistant
Examiner of the United States Patent Office
in the division of fine arts, she has been in
government officie since id70, and was ap-
pointed to present position 1883.

Mrs. Nettie Chapin, is also Fourth Exam-
iner aud has been in the Patent Office since
1878.

Mrs. Frank Lvbrand, E employed in the
division of Civil Engineering, and Miss Ame-
lia Tyler in the class of Agricultural Imple-

muPv, Timy are mi s;-- -vv---'-T.

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vttw; .i - b.iy ; ah uiaiofiaT: o-.Ue; -

examiners.

Two women are also found in tl 1 grade of
Third Assistants. Mrs. Etta Chapman who
has the examination of ,J1 applications for
trade marks, and Mrs. Virginia Nagle in the
class of fine arts. Beside* these, who hold a
more distinctive position as being employed
in positions heretofore Held exclusively by
men, there are many cap -..hie and faithful wo-
men workers who hold positions requiring
the exercise of judgemenUand skill.

Mrs. Catherine E. Lloyd, was born in New
Fork, appointed to the Patent Office July 1,
1869, at a salary of $700, she has been in con-
tinuous service since that date. In 1870 her
salary was made $900 by act of Congress. She
xeceived this salary for thirteen years and
was promoted to $1,000 in 1883 and to $1,200
in 1884. She is a clerk in the Issue and Gaz-
ette Division and has been in the service for
twenty-two years.

Another woman in the Patent Office de-
serves special mention, Miss Julia A. Wilbur.
She was born in Rochester, N. ¥., and was
Tor sometime a teacher in the public schools.
Sie served with great credit through the civil
war, iu hospitals and as missionary to and
teacher of the freedmen in Alexandria, Rich-
mond and Washington. This service she
rendered with untiring devotion and without
compensation from the government until 1869.
The act of Congress mentioned, taking effect
at this time, she applied for a clerkship in the
Patent Ofiice, and after quite as severe an ex-
amination as is now required by the civil ser-
vice rules, she was considered competent.
This amiable lady is beloved by all her as-
sociates and is still actively engaged in the
discharge of her duties in the Issue and Gaz-
ette division of the Patent Office.

A PATENT OFFICE BUILDING,
ihe first thing to be recommended by the
Centennial delegates is a building for the
Patent Office exclusively. The Department
of the Interior and its various branches oc-
cupy too much spae9 in the building. The
Patent Office is the only department in this
government that is self-supporting, and has
nearly a million dollars surplus in the Treas-
ury. This, if no other reason, entitles the
patrons of the inventors an ample building

to any recent annual report o' the Commis-
sioner of Patents, when are summarized,
year by year since 1837, the number of pat-
ents issued and the income of the Pater Off
fice. It is only necessary now to emphasize
these figures by contrasting the figures of

1837, the earliest conveniently accessible, with
those of 1890.

In 1837 there were granted 436 patents,
and $29,289.08 paid infer fees, and $33,506
.98 expended.

In 1890 there were granted 26,292 patents,
and $1,340,372.06 paid in, and $1,099,297.74
expended.

COLORED WOMAN INVENTOR.

Eden Eglin, of this city and a member of
the Woman’s National Industrial League in-
vented a clothes- wringer. She sold the in-
vention to an agent for the sum of $18.00 in
1888, The wringer is a great financial suc-
cess to the present owner. When asked by
the writer why she sold the invention so
cheap after giving months of study to it, she
replied, “You know I am black and if it was
known that a negro woman patented the in-
vention, white ladies would not buy the
wiingei , I was afraid to be known because
of my color in having it introduced in the
market, that is the only reason.” I am work
ing on another invention and have money to
push it after the patent is issued to me, and
the invention will ba known as a black wo-
man’s to. Tam .looking forward to exhibit 1
the model at the Woman’s International In-
dustrial Inventors Congress to which women
are invited to participate regardless of color
lines,”

RECENT PATENTS TO WOMEN

Among the more recent patents taken out
by women the following list are a few of the
during the past years.

J it »: t list of twenty all were married
women and mothers of families except one.

It will be seen from this that the matrimony
and household cares does not "in the leasj.

heinve genius of women.

. , '.JP. ' TL \ ' !

useful splint/* and > 'fines’

oroiler. cue followed the vocation of nurse
and saw the necessity of an improvement in
the surgical splints in use, and exercising
her inventive genius produced a “splint’’
which has real merit. Also in the preparation
of meats for invalids she saw that the broilers
were not constructed properly to preserve the
flavor and the juices of the meat, and she
successfully produced a boiler.

Mrs. E. J. Austin, Carthage, N. Y, to aid
in supporting herself and family, became a
canvasser for a number of patent medicines,
doing well in this employment finally pat-
ented two articles “The Magic Fluid,” and
‘The Gold and Silver Surprize Paste.”

Mrs. Harriet Randal, Powersville, Mo.
taught in the public achools for four years
and in 1869 married Mr. John G. Randal,
and some years later went to reside with him
near Pottersburg, Kansas. At this place she
invented a “Provision Safe,” which is' used
as a refrigerator It is so constructed as to pre_
vent the entrance of insect* and is a usefnj
piece of household furniture. Mrs. Randal is
now living near Powersville, Mo., and is
the mother of three children.

Helen C. Blanchard, of Philadelphia, Pa-
native of Portland, Maine, Sewing Machine
— Blanchard Over-Seem Sewing Machine
Company.

O « ■ ’ 1 1 * »

THE ARLINGTON.

The Banquet at the Arlington Hotel on
Friday evening, April 9th will be a memorable
affair, and one of the most magnificent enter,
tainments ever gotten up in Washington,

ihrough Madam De Coudray’§ invention
of the mankin, a knowledge of physiology
has been much more widely diffused than
would otherwise have been possible.

The number of female medical students
entered at Paris this term is 114, of whom 90
are Russian, 12 French and 8 English, with 1
American, 1 Austrian, I Greek and 1 Turk.
The number of students of the Women’s
Medical College of Philadelphia is 194.

IheDuchesse d- Lizes, notcontent with hav-
ing played an important part in politics, nor
of bemg the most accomplished horsewoman
in France, craves the honors of authorship. A
pia;,' written by the Duchess was represented
recently beiore a brilliant aud aristocratic au-
dience.

years after his time, that the secret of its man-
ufacture became known to the West, The
result of this invention by woman, has grown
to be one of the greatest industries of this
country. The United States is the largest
consumer of silk in the world during die year
of 1888. We imported twenty-two million
dollars of the raw ’material, etc., for the man-
ufacture of silk in this country.

Ancient tradition accords to women the in-
vention of those arts most necessary to com-
fort, health, wealth, and most promotion of
civilization. Several Empresses of China have
been worshipedbecause of their inventive ge-
nius. While the most ancient Chinese writers,
accord the invention of spinning to Yao, wife
of the fourth emperor, and the discovery of
silk to Si-ling-chi, wife of the Emperor Hoang-
ti, four thousand years before the birth of
Christ. The goddess of silk worms. Si-ling
chi, is still worshiped in China as a remem-
berance of this woman’s invention.

Gauze, was the invention of Pamphili, a
woman of Cos. She afterwards introduced a
transparent fabric, known to Roman ladies as
silk gauze or “The Woven Wand.” Madame
Bessani, a humble working woman of Italy,
was accorded by the Italiaxi Minister of Com
rnerce, letters of patent for Venetian Point
Lace, which is a source of immense revenue
to Italy.

To Mheural Nisa or Nourmalial, the world
is indebted for the cashmere shawls, which is
of such great commercial value to India. To
her is also due the invention of a perfume
known as Ottar of Roses, A temple is built
to her memory known as the “ Light of the
World,” by her husband Jerunyibe, the con-
quer.

While wood carving, which is so well
adapted, is a branch of industry to women.
The invention of wood engraving, Is due to
twin brother and sister, at Ravenna Italy, in
the thirteenth century.

The discovery of cotton is attributed to the

mof-fier *: c T- v q -o tuugtd “it Teniviv..: x i U

■

The first m., u -i .. i.n's I.., -mtion in

Great Britain, is due to one Sarah Jerom, who
was grauted the first patent No 87, to woman
October 31, 1635 for an Engine for cutting
timber into thin pieces for making band-boxes.
She was again granted another Patent for im •
provement of the same invention October 20,
1638. The second patent, No. 182, was to
Rebecca Croxton, July 30, 1675, for Weaving
Point Lace.

The fourth patent was to Mary Marshall,
No. 235, July 3, 1684, for making, staining,
and coloring stuff to resemble tapestry hang-
ings.”

Jane Vanef,. patent No. 560, Dacemder 15
1737, “point hoops for convenience of ladies
when entering coaches or chairs.”

Elizabeth ‘Taylor, patent No. 782, Decem-
ber 6, 1762, “tools, etc., for making blocks,
sheaves, aud pins.”

Ann Robinson, patent No. 839, February 6,
1766, “silk mitts and gloves,”

Sarah Harrington, patent No. 1,100, June
24, 1775, “taking and reducing shadows for
likenesses etc ”

Mary Howson, patent No. 1685, June 9,
1789, “for stills and boilers.”

Johanna Hempel, patent No. 1,776, October
16, 1790, “ porous pottery.”

Francis Willoughly, patent No. 1,855, Feb-
ruary 27, 1722, patent for “ thrashing grain.”

. Henrietta Caroline Bently, patent No. 2,005
August 7, 1794, “invalid bed.”

Ann Wilcox, patent No. 2, 362, December
2, 1799, “playing cards.”

It will he seen from the above accurate list,
that during the 16th and 17th centuries, but
13 patents were granted to women, and all
of them of the most practical character, except
perhaps “playing cards,” and they depend
entirely on how they are played whether for
amusement or for dishonest revenue.

A FEW RECENT INVENTIONS.

Mrs, Kendall, the great English actress, is
the inventor and patentee of a lamp and can-
dle shade, from the sales of which she derives
a handsome profit.

To Mademoiselle Biheron, a Prussian gov-
erness, recently invented a new fulminate for
needle gun cartridges.

A Swiss woman has just invented a watch
for the blind, on the dial of which the hours
are indicated by twelve projecting pegs, one
of which sinks every hour.

Our Patent Agency Depart-
ment

To the Women Inventors oft he Would.

There has been organized under the auspi-
ces oi the Woman’s National Industrial League
of America, as may be seen by the foregoing
resolutions, a new department, whose object
it is to promote and encourage the interest of
female inventors of the world, many of whom
possess the genius aud capability of our best
male inventors, but who lack the encourage-
ment of an interest in their behalf, an inter-
est which has heretofore been partially, if not
wholly neglected. It needs but this lively
interest to develop in the women, especially
of America, the tact, the skill, the genius,
the capability and the interest in mechanical
and other arts, from which they have been
heretofore practically ostracized. However,
in the past few years it will be found that
the advance strides of women in the various
arts have been wonderful, and this without
any encouragement, what then would be their
advance with every encouragement of their
interest.

How many men and women of to-day,
have made millions by some simple but roer ■
ritorious invention, which might, or might
not have required much time or study to ac-
complish, as a matter of fact, the inventions
from vv hioh the most money has been derived,
have been some simple device such as the “re-
turn ball/’ a chads toy which every one knows,
a wooden ball, with a rubber attached and
from which the inventor derived an immense
fortune. Again there is the little two ball
clasp which nearly every lady has upon her
pocket book. And again the little puzzle
“ Pigs in Clover,” which caused such a sen-
sation not many years ago and made for its
inventor an ample fortune and. so on. We
might cite fifty such simple inventions which
have made their inventors rich.

Then why do not the women of the day
enter this new field of industry, in which
so many men have become wealthy and gain-
ed tor themselves reputations which shall be
handed down from generation to generation,
j There are many arts upon .to women as its
' - whs^elr. thev hsv rD

u- - ........ . ■ - . ... - - - - , • 7 T vte ..\ -

! o'; f er thr mer. Why raauot they ifval IM-q

disOn, Bel!, or Franklin, we have the genius,
but it requires development and encourage-
ment, hence let us do both to develop this genius
by encouraging one another,

CHARLOTTE SMITH,

THE INVENTION OF BELLOWS.

It is dfficult to place the invention of bellows,
as it is stated that they wpre used in Egypt
in the time of Thothmes 1 1 V, 1490 B. C.„ aud
are represented on a tomb bearing the name
of that Pharaoh, probably as emblematic of
his character. Our common bellows, consist-
ing of two boards joined by a piece of leather,
was early known to . the Greeks and Romans
Strabo falsely ascribes the invention to Anar-
charsis, the Scythian, who was co-eval with
Solon. Wooden bellows were ’ known in Ger
many in the sixteenth century, but the name
of the inventor is not known.

Miss Nellie F. Shedd, is designated as
the first Assistant Commissioner by many of
the employees in the Patent Office. Her ap-
pointment dates back to 1869, her present ap-
pointment from 1886. She is' perfect in fig-
ure, with bright expressive face that .lights up
in conversation, she dresses well and in good
taste and is entirely unassuming in her man-
ner, but of a positive character.

Miss Shedd is supposed to know every de-
tail of the inside workings of the vast amount
of, business transacted in the Patent Office.
She is thourghly practical and at a moment’s
noticefrom the Commissioners she has to furn-
ish the most minute information in connection
with the office. The Commissioner of Patents
dictates his wishes to her. and she executes
them, as she is a stenographer, and is author-
ity on Patent Law rulings etc. Miss Shedds
salary is $1,800 per annum. She receives
the highest salary of any woman in the Pat-
ent Office. All Patent Office employees re-
spect. her as a woman who has w T on her po-
sition by her own individuality and ability.
All the different Commissioners of Patents,
whom she has served, pay the highest trib-
bute to her executive ability. She is a credit
to her sex, and the Patent Office.

Mr*. Ida May Ferris, Osage City, - Kansas
in J uly last, secured letters patent on a very
useful invention called “Breast and Abdomi-

nal Bandages.”

The Patent Office History.

April 1891, the Patent Office will be one
hundred years old. It was the work of
Thomas Jefferson, who was an inventor him-
self, The English, to their credit, did not de-
stroy the Patent Office when they captured
Washington during the war of 1812. Before
1836 it was in embryo, and there was but
little system, but in that year the first commis-
sioner was appointed, but a fire unfortunately
destroyed over 2,000 models and many valu-
able papers. Many of the models were re
placed in after years, There was another
fire in 1877, which made sad havoc in the mo-
del room, where, there was an accumulation
of over 200,000, made of wood as dry as tin-
der, and only needing a spark. This loss
awakened the authorities to the benefit to be
derived from phooolithogragh, which has
grown to be an immense business, as nearly
25,000 patents are granted every year. The
applications come in to the commissioner by
the scores every day,. The financial clerk
then collects $15 for the entrance fee, and then
putsthe model on its course through the office?
and complaints are many that this process is
rather slow. If the drawing is defective, the
inventor is notified. Alter examination, if the
device is found patentable, the examiner for-
wards the papers to the issue division, where
they are arranged and sent to their respective
divisions. There are thirty subjects of inven-
tion, divided into eighty-eight classes, and
assigned for examination to the thirty exam-
ining divisions of the office. The patent is
then allowed, and the inventor notified of its
allowance upon receipt of $20, the final fee.
The drawings are then lithographed and the
specifications printed. The voyage is a long
and tedious one, sometimes requiring years.

A NEW DEPARTURE TO ENCOURAGE
INVENTORS.

At the last monthly meeting of the Wo
man’s National Industrial League ofAmerica^
the following resolutions were unanimously
adopted :

Whereas : For years past the necessity of
having a patent agency which should devote
its entire time and interest to the benefit of

’ m venter.-, of world be? brcmn ■

•> i . . -’ -if. " ■

-

i i^refore .&e 't resolved : Tlia? there be or-
ganized under the auspices of this association,
a patent agency, whose purpose shall be to
promote and encourage the interest of women
inventors of this and other countries.

Be it further resolved : That the said patent
agency shall be called The Woman’s National
Patent Agency, and that copies of these res-
olutions be sent to the woman inventors of the
world, and all those interested in their pro-
gress ; for whose benefit it is organized, and
whose patronage we solicit. Further, that the
charges made by this agency shall be as cheap
than that of other patent solicitors practicing
before the Patent Office, and thats uch charges
shall not be demanded until the allowance of
the case, upon notice of which, all payments
are expected promptly.

By this method of doing business, every
applicant is assured that the agency will put
forth every effort to the prosecution of her
ease, inasmuch as, a failure to attend properly
to the prosecution of the case, will be the
agency’s loss as well as that of the inventors.

And again, an inventor may often teel that
she has a novel and useful invention and ap-
plys for a patent through some unscrupulous
patent attorney who leads the applicant to
believe that she has a valuable invention,
which after the expenditure of considerabl e
money in fees, the office refuses to grant a pat-
ent for.

Or on the other hand an applicant might
go to a perfectly honest attorney, who after
submitting your invention thinks you have
a good thing, and tells you so, however after
having spent considerable time and money
you find you can procure no patent from the
office.

We do not blame the attorney in this case
he has given you his opinion, and honestly,
but he, like all the rest of us, is unable to de-
cide, just what ground the Patent Office will
take in the matter. Therefore, under our sys-
tem you have no attorney’s fee to pay until
you have discovered whether or not you will
be accorded patent protection for your inven-
tion.

Clever draughtswomen are in demand by
dry goods houses to make pen and ink
sketches of gowns, furs and the like. Women
are specially adapted to this profession , and
we are only surprised that more women have
not entered this occupation.

HISTORY OF PATENTS GRANTED

TO WOMEN IN THE UNITED STATES FROM

1809 to April, 189 L
The first official record of a woman’s inven -
tion in the United States, was to one Mary
Kies, who received a patent May 5th, 1809
for “ straw weaving with silk or thread.”
The second invention six years latex was to
Mary Brush, corset patented July 21, 1815,
from that time to the present writing seventy-
four improvements in corsets have been pat-
ented by women, From 1815 to July 10,
1840, nineteen patents have been granted to
women, and from 1840 to 1860, but thirty-
nine patents were issued. The largest num-
ber during any one year was in 1857 — six
patents were issued. From the year 1860 to
1870, two hundred and sixty-one patents
were granted to women. From 1870 to 1880,
897 patents were taken out by women And
from July 1, 1888 to March 1, 1891, 537
patents have been issued to women.

We can enumerate among the long list of
Women Inventors the following, a partial list_
Spinning machine capable of running from 12
to 40 threads / a rotary loom doing three times
the work of an ordinary loom ; a chain eleva-
tor; screw crank for steamships; a fire escape;
a wool feeder and weigher, one of the most
delicate machines ever invented, and of incal-
culable benefit to every wool manufacturer , a
portable reservoir for use in case of fire ; a
process for burning petroleum in place of
wood and coal for steam generating pur-
poses ; an improvement in spark arresters, to
be applied to locomotives ; a danger signal for
street crossings on railways ; a plan for heat-
ing cars without fire; a lubricating felt for
subduing friction (the last five all bearing
upon railroad travel); syllable type, with ad-
justable cases and apparatus ; machine for
trimming pamphlets ; writing machine ; signal
rocket used in the navy ; deep sea telescope ;
method of deadening sound on elevated rail-
roads; smoke burner, bag folding machine, etc
Many improvements in sewing machines have
been made by women — as a device for sewing
sails and heavy cloth quilting attachments ;
the magic ruffler threading a needle when the
machine is running ; an adaption of machines
for sewing leather, etc. This last was the in-
vention of a practical woman machinist, who
manv years e?rriep on a large harm-.-:-'

'v ’Y- ‘v r •' • • -•••• • <• I,.

escope, > .vented by Mrs. Mather ai improved
uy nti daughter, a . u rut; air. ...mt in-

vention, bringing the bottom of the largest ships
to view without the expense of raising them in-
to a dry dock. By its means wrecks can be in-
spected, obstructions to navigation removed,
torpedoes successfully sought for, and immense
sums annually saved to the marine service.
A machine which, for its complicated mechan-
ism and extraordinary ingenuity, has attract-
ed much attention both in this country and
Europe, is that for the manufacture of satchel
bottom paper bags. Many men of mechanical
genius long directed their attention to this
problem without success. Miss Maggie Knight
to whom this machine is due, it is said refused
$50,000 for it shortly after taking out her pat-
ent. Miss Knight has since invented a ma-
chine doing the work of thirty persons, in
folding bags, and herself superintended the
erection of the machinery at Amherst, Mass.

The straw weaving industry of the United
States owes its origin to Miss Betsy Metcalf,
who in 1798 made the first straw bonnet ever
manufactured in this country. Within twelve
years after the discovery of this invention, the
State of Massachusetts alone produced half a
million dollars worth of straw goods. That
State now produces six million hats and bon-
nets annually. A great deal of straw is man-
ufactured in other States.

Auo +v r remarkable invention is by Mrs.
Mary E. Walton, for deadening the sound of
car wheels. She lived near the elevated rail-
roadin New York, and was greatly annoyed by
the sound of the roaring trains passing her
house. The most noted machinists and inven-
tors of the country had given their attention
to the subject without being able to furnish a
solution, when, but a woman’s brain did the
work, and her appliance, proving perfectly sue
cessful, Was adopted by the elevated railroads,
and she is now reaping the rewards of a hap-
py thought.

It was a California woman, who invented
a baby carriage, which netted her over $50,-
000 ; while Mrs. Catherine Greene, the wife
and widow of Washington’s ablest officer, is
due the honor of inventing the cotton gin,
which is one of those distinctively American
inventions, the value and importance of which
have been recognized by the whole industria l
world She was the wife of Nathaniel Greene,

and a native of Rhode Island and familiar
with the working ot the anchor forge belong-
ing to her husband’s father, the idea came to
her while visting her Georgia plantation to
lessen the labor of cleansing cotton. When
this difficulty was solved, she permitted Eli
Whitney, to claim the patent through fear of
ridicule, because of her high social position.
General Greene died soon after, leaving Mrs.
Catherine Littlefield Greene, a widow, in
an independent position, yet she feared public
censure notwithstanding the conception of the
cotton gin, was Mrs. Greene’s ideas. A small
model was made so perfect in its construction
that all succeeding gius have been based upon
it. Mrs. Green married a Mr. Miller, who
induced her to retain a subordinate interest in
her own invention.

Mrs. Maria Beasley, of Philadelphia, turns
out hundreds of ready made barrels in a day
and levies on the shipping departments of the
oil and sugar refineries eternal obligations as
well as profitable royalties. Women are des-
tined to play a larger part in the future in the
history of American inventions, which is
doubtless America’s most important contribu-
tion to the history of the world. Mrs. Emma
D. Mills, one of the most energetic advocates
in New kork of the introduction of women
into occupations hitherto monopolized by men
has just invented a patent typewriter attach-
ment, has patented it in her own name and is
now preparing to manufacture and sell it her-
self.

A. horse shoe machine, which turns out
completed shoes, was the invention of a Wo-
man ; also the reaper and mower, the idea of
which came into the brain of Mrs. Ann Mann-
ing, of Plain ville, N. J., to whom is also accred-
ited a clover cleaner. Mrs. Manning seems
to have stimulated the inventive genius of her
neighbors, for a few years after her mower and
reaper was patented Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, of
the same State, took out a patent for an im-
provement of this machine, being a device for
changing the knives without stopping the
wheels.

Miss Louisa McLaughlin, of Cincinnati,
was the founder of the Rock wood pottery, and
the discoveries made by her in glazing were
first adopted there. A certain man seeing its
value, took out a patent upon it, thus prohib-
iting irs inventor fron using the fraP of
hep own brains. She is president of the Gin
cinnaii Pottery Club, which has twenty mem-
bers, : ■ mt-- ; o mo are professional dec-
orators, Miss Laura Fry being the best known ;
others are prominent society women.

Mrs. Mary E. Walton, has also taken out
a patent for the United States and England,
for a smoke burner, by this devise all smoke
from a fire, furnace, or locomotive js consum-
ed, as also the dust caused by rally trains, and
the offensive unhealthy odors emitted from
factories gas works, etc. When in England,
Mrs. Walton received the congratulations of
the British officials for it, as one of the great-
est inventions of the age.

Miss Geneva Armstrong, a young lady who
owns a farm in Western New York, has in-
vented a machine for feeding cattle on trains.
She recently addressed a meeting of railroad
men, before whom she has placed the inven-
tion. It is patented, and she hopes to have
it adopted for use during the transportation
of live stock.

Miss Helen Blanchard, a resident of Phil-
adelphia, is a Maine girl, who has made a
fortune through the invention of a simple
“Aver and under” attachment for sewing ma-
chines. When she discovered the device, she
had to borrow money to pay the first patent
office fees. She now owns great estates, a
manufactory and many patent rights that yield
her a large income in royalties.

Mrs. Bailey, wife of the editor of the Utica
Observer, has recently devised and pat-
ented an arrangement to be attached to hos-
pital beds, by means of which a patient is
enabled to raise aud lower himself without the
assistance of a nurse.

While a woman seventy years old has
just taken out a patent for a sewing-machine
needle that does ' not need threading. There
is a beveled slot in one side of the eye through
which the needle slips. It seems very simple
and all who have seen it Wonder why nobodv
thought of it before.

Dr. Josephine G. Davis, of New York City,
has invented a portable device for sustaining
and keeping from the shoulders a canvass or
rubber covering, under which a hot air or va-
por bath may be administered by means of a
suitable lamb.

Mrs. D. M. Barer, of New Decatur, Ala-
bama, has invented a new fire escape which

proves simple and effective. At a recent trial
of it the persons descending let themselves
down, it is said, as easily as if they had wings.

Mrs. Mary Lamont has patented a broom
catch which is a neat and useful device. It con-
sists of a block with means attached for sup-
porting the handles of implements.

The New York women have been granted
more patents than their sisters in any other
State. The women of Massachusetts, Ohio,
Indiana, and Wisconsin rank next in order.

An Ohio girl has invented a process by
which a barrel of oil can be converted into
ten thousand cubic feet of gas.

Miss Helen Blanchard has made a fortune
through the invention of a simple attachment
for a sewing machine.

Anna Connolly, of Philadelphia, has been
granted a patent for a practical fire escape.

A street sweeper of great merit was devised
and patented by a New York lady.

The novelist, Blanche Willis Howard, has
patented a bath shoe.

A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT.

AMBITION, DISAPPOINTMENT, SUCCESS,

It is ambition which leads women
and men to enter the career of an in-
ventor’s life. It is ambition which
spurs them on during the many hours
of trial ; only too often finds its path
obstructed by disappointment. It is.
ambition coupled with the lessons only
too often learned by disappointments,
which is only overcome by persever-
ance that leads to success.

Many a woman has tried to enter
this field, faltered, discouraged has
left the path ; she by her ambition led
ou, found disappointment after disap-
pointment, and at last gave up within
the reach of her success. Friends and
advisers only too often hold before her
already dimmed eyes the spectre of
those who have like her become dis-
couraged and abandoned hope of suc-
cess. These over-cautious philoso-

pHe p, ,

pie’s bup'upss— hay-, oceii only . ><.,<,!-

■ ■

1 1 ue, lots have failed who entered,
hopefully the field of an inventor's ca-
reer ; but what of that ? Thousands
fail in the hanking business, just as
many in other mercantile pursuits ; all
parties who sit down to write a book
have not succeeded either to become
poet laureates, nor have they amassed
competency either. Children horn in
the lap of luxury, with riches untold
possessed by their parents, have made
failures in life and have died worse
than poor.

All cannot he rich, nor need all be
poor. Contentment is often found
where riches are stranger. The in-
ventor, poor as she may be, finds some
happiness in the pursuit of her thorny
path ; hope leads her on and guides
her step ; the clouds of disappointment
which hang drearily over her head
have often not only a silver lining, but
rays of gold, which only wait for a
brave heart to push ahead and thus let
them break through that dismal gray.

WAh every new morning the heart
of the woman inventor, so full of
doubt the night before, finds new hope
kindling with itself. It is this hope
which gives us the power to battle
with life’s uncertain fate; it is hope
that brightens even our disappoint-
ments ; it is hope and cheering news
which our true friends bestow on us
in our hours of trial ; it is that hope
which eventually leads on to success
and the consummation of our longing
wishes; it is that hope that we all
cherish while life does last, and there
is nothing so fatal to an ambitious
woman’s heart as when meddlesome
persons continually hold before them,
the skeletons of the inventors who
have fallen by the way. Let us all
cheer on the the heavily laden heart
of the embryo inventor ; let us all aid
her by word and deed, and although
her ambition will stumble over some
disappointment, sbe will ten to one
reach that so much coveted success.